Forming bulged receptacles



April 30; 1940. c. HINSDALE FORMING BULGED RECEPTACLES Filed April 13, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet l April 30, 1940. Q HlNSDALE 2,198,873

FORMING BULGED RECEPTACLES Filed April 13, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 25 Q I ITWIHL,

y lia April 30, 1940. c. L. HINSDALE 2.198.873

FORMING BULGED RECEPTACLES Filed April 13, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 gvwcmtm (7am Ali/fiddle W MW April 30, 1940. c. HINSDALE I FORMING BULGED RECEPTACLES Filed April 13, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 1940- c. 1.. HINSDALE 2.198.873

' FORMING BULG ED RECEPTACLES Filed April 13, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet s 4 55 r I Fly. 10 w [lam LfiE/wdale Patented Apr. 30, 1940 UNITED STATES PA EN omen mesne assignments, to Mullins Manufacturing Corporation, Salem; O-hio a corporation of New Application April 13, 1937, Serial No. 136,568 4 Claims. (01. 113-48) The invention relates 'to the manufacture" of receptacles having a bulged portion in the side wall thereof,vand more particularly to the formation of a'sheet metal receptacle closed at one end 5 and having a bulged corrugated portion in the side wall and extending from the closed end.

Such receptacles are particularly useful as washing machine tubs, in which it is desirable that the bulged portion extend from or merge with the closed end of the tub, and it is also desirable that the bulged portion be corrugated.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for forming a bulged and/or corrugated portion in the side wall at the closed end portion of a sheet metal receptacle. v

Certain prior constructions have provided for forming a bulged portion on a receptacle, but if the bulged portion is'to be corrugated it can not be formed at the closed end of the receptacle by such prior constructions. i

It has been proposed to provide radially expanding dies for forming 'a bulged portion in sheet metal receptacles, but such dies can not form'the bulged portion at and extending from the closed endof the receptacle, because the dies necessarily occupy the space adjacent the closed end and do not support the end wall for maintaining itsshapeduring the forming of the bulged portion in the sidewall. Thus, while such dies might be used to form a bulged and/ or corrugated portion intermediate the ends of a receptacle, they can not form a bulged and/or corrugated portion at and extending from'the closed end of a receptacle. I

It has als'obeen proposed to form a series of substantially vertical corrugations in the side wall of a receptacle by rolling, stamping or pressing one or more corrugations successively around the periphery of the side wall, but thisresults in the metal of the side wall becoming gathered or drawn inwardly rather than being stretched or bulged outwardly. 1

. Other prior constructions for forming corru- 45 gations have included the provision of a punch cooperating with a female die having ribs thereon, but these constructions produce scratches in the side wall of the receptacle so as to render them unfitfor being coatedby vitreous enamel, which is frequently desired; andthese constructions are not suitable for forming a bulged portion in the receptacle side wall.

It is therefore a further object of the present invention-to provide, an apparatus and method for making a bulged corrugated portion merging with andextending from the closed end of a re-, ceptacle, which will overcome all of the foregoing difiiculties and which willproduce a bulged corrugated portion suitable .for being coated with vitreous enamel.

Another object is toiprovide an apparatus which will producethe bulged portion andthe corrugations thereon at one and the same time.

Another object isto provide an apparatus which will form' theicorrugations in the bulged portion 10 of the receptacle in such away that the metal is stretched or bulged outwardly.

"When sheet metal receptacles'having integral side and bottom walls are utilized as washing machine tubs,.it is frequently desirable to form spe- 15 cial oifset and drainage formations in the bottom Wallprior to bulging and/or corrugating the side wall. I i

' It" is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus for forming a 20 bulged and/or corrugated portion in the sidewall of a sheet metal receptacle, without distorting the previously formed bottom wall formations.

And finally, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for 25 forming a bulged corrugated portion merging with and extending from the closed end of a sheet metal receptacle, which will accomplish all of the foregoing objectives and inexpensively and effici'ently produce receptacles having an attractive 30 and distinctive appearance. I

The'seand other objects are obtained by the parts, elements, combinations and arrangements of the apparatus, preferred embodiments of which areshown in the accompanying drawings, and by the methods andv procedure comprising the present invention; all of which are hereafter set forth in detail and defined in theappended claims.

; In general terms the invention includes the provision of outer die means and inner die means 40 between which the receptacle is received,'said inner die means having a bottom wall holding die and parts which are expansible radially downward on the bottom wall holding die to cooperate with the outer die means in forming a bulged corrugated portionin the receptacle side wall merging with andextending from the receptacle bottom wall. v v

Referring to the drawings forming part hereof Figure; is a vertical sectional view of the improved apparatus as on line I- -I Fig. 2, showing the" dies in the position forming the bulged corrugated portion in the receptacle, the outer die means being shown fragmentarily;

I Fig. 2 is a plan s'ectionalview substantially'on line 2-2, Fig. 1, showing the expansible inner die members in elevation with the punch removed;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view as on line 33, Fig. 1, showing the sliding wedging connection between the punch and one of the expansible inner die members;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1, showing the punch slightly withdrawn and the expansible inner die members partially contracted;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view as on line 5--5, Fig. 2, showing the spring means for contracting the inner die members as the punch is withdrawn;

Fig. 6 is an elevation on a reduced scale of the finished tub;

Fig. 7 is a plan sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showing the tub before being formed and located between the inner die members in .contracted position and the outer die members in expanded position;

. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view line 8-8, Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a plan sectional view taken substantially on line 99, Fig. 1 showing the inner bottom wall die in full lines;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view substantially on line l0l6, Fig. l; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view substantially on line Ill I, Fig. 5.

Similar numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

While the improved apparatus. shown and described herein is adapted for forming a bulged corrugated portion in the sidewall of a sheet metal receptacle, the invention comprehends the forming of a bulged portion without corrugations, or the forming of corrugations in the receptacle side wall without bulging the same.

The improved apparatus preferably includes a base .plate [2 on which is mounted the bottom die plate l3 for supporting and conforming to the previously formed outer contour of the bottom wall M of a deep drawn sheetmetal receptacle having a preferably integral tubular side wall [5.

The base plate I 2 supports expanding female or outer die segments [6, which are circumferentially arranged .to conform to the side wall I5 of the receptacle, and the segments "5 have hollowed or concave portions .ll, on which are formed the desired ribs and grooves (Fig. '7), for cooperating with inner die -members to form a bulged corrugated portion in the receptacle side wall.

The outer die segments l6 are arrangedto be contracted radially by downward movement of a series of die wedging members 18 which have bevelled surfaces l9 cooperating with bevelled surfaces 26 on the die segments to force the segments radially inward against the receptacle side wall [5.

The die wedging members 3 may be secured as by screws 2| to the flange portion 22 of an annular punch-receiving die member 23, which fits within and conforms to the inner surface of receptacle side wall I5. The wedging members It and die member 23 are moved .in unison vertically up and down by a usual press connecting plate indicated-at 24.

A stripper plate 25 is located under the flange 22 when the dies are assembled, for engaging the rim flange 26 of "the receptacle for stripping the same from diemember 23 as it is withdrawn. The stripper plate 25 is preferably secured by screws 27 to a spacing ring 28 which abuts the as on upper surfaces of wedging members l8 during the forming operation.

The construction and arrangement of the die members thus far described in themselves form no part of the present invention, and are substantially according to usual and well known practice in the art.

As shown, the bottom wall I4 of the deep drawn sheet metal receptacle has a stepped or offset formation to which the upper surface of the bottom die plate l3 conforms, and the inner die means preferably includes a bottom wall inner die plate 30 having a bottom surface conforming to the inner contour of the receptacle bottom wall. 7

The inner die plate 36 is generally frustoconical in shape, and is shown in plan elevation in Fig. 9 of the drawings. The upper surfaces of said die plate 30 include a plurality (preferably four) of downwardly inclined, preferably cylindrical, identical surfaces 3| spaced alt-ernately with a like number of downwardly inclined, cylindrical surfaces 32. The cylindrical surfaces 3| and 32 preferably extend or taper from a central, preferably horizontal surface 33, radially outward and downward to the outer periphery of the die member 30. v

Preferably each surface v3| has a' radially disposed downwardlyinclined guide member 34 secured therein and projecting upward therefrom and the guide members 34 are slidably received in elongated grooves 35 formedpn the lower surfaces of each of a plurality .of expansible-forming die members 36. The expansible members 36are substantially diamond-shapedwhen'viewed 1 in plan, as shown in Figs. 2 and .7, and are provided, if so desired, at their outer peripheries with narrow convex corrugated portions 360. for engaging the side wall l5 of the receptacle.

The bottom surfaces 31 of the expansible members 36 are cylindrical to slidably conform to the inclined cylindrical surfaces 3| on the bottom die plate 36, and the upper surfaces 38 of the members 36 are also cylindrical to slidably conform to similarinclined cylindrical surfaces 39 formed on the bottomof the punch-receiving die member 23, as clearly as shown in Fig. 10.

The expansible inner die means also includes a plurality (preferably four) of identical forming die segments 40 which are located between the members 36, and have convex outer surfaces Mic with corrugations, if so desired, formed thereon for engaging the receptacle side wall I5. The segments 46 are substantially pie-shaped in plan elevation and cooperate with the members 36 to provide a circumferentially complete continuous corrugated convex orbulged portion or die surface for forming .a complementary bulged portion in the receptacleside wall when the expansible members 36 andsegments 46 are expanded as shown in Fig. 2.

The segments 40 are provided with cylindrical bottom surfaces 42 for slidably conforming to the inclined cylindrical surfaces 32 on the die plate .30, and have. cylindrical upper surfaces 43 for conforming-t0 similar inclined bottom cylindrical surfaces 44 on the punch-receiving die member 23, as shown in'Fig. 1

The punch-receiving inner die member 23 and the inner bottom die-plate 30 are preferably secured together in vertical-spaced relation by spaced bolts 46 extending throughspacer sleeves 4-1 and located between adjacent die -members '36 at thednner sides radially of segments 40. The bolts 46-are preferably screwed into die plate 2,168,873 '30 at their lowerendsan'd secured at their upper ends by nuts 48 to interior flanges 49 on thedie member 23 (Figs. 5 and 8).

Thus the die member 23 and the bottom die plate 36 constitute a male or inner die having adjoining downwardly and outwardly inclined channels in which the expansible die members 36 and die segments 40 moveor expand outwardly to engage the receptacle side wall-l5 at a position merging with and extending upwardly from the receptacle bottom wall l4.

The guides 34 slidably engage in grooves 35 to guide the die members 36 radially during their outward movement, and the outer angular or tapered surfaces 50 of each member 36 slidably and cooperatively abut an inner angular or tapered surface 5| of each of'two adjoining segments 40 to drive and guide the segments lll during their outward and inward movement.

Preferably, each segment 4|] is provided at its inner side radially with an arcuate notch 52 for fitting an adjacent spacer sleeve 41. Means for yieldingly urging the segments 46 radially inward to engage the notches 52 with the spacer sleeve 41 preferably includes springs 53 located at opposite sides of each sleeve. The springs 53 may be secured at their inner ends to a cross bar 54 engaged behind said sleeve, and their outer ends may be received in suitable bores 55 in the inner side of each segment 40 and connected to pins 56 screwed in the segments and extending into the inner ends of the bores.

Means for moving the expansible diamond shaped members 36 outward against the receptacle side wall l5 preferably includes a punch die 58 having a tapered wedge engagement with said members 36. The punch 58 preferably has four diametrically opposite downwardly and inwardly inclined surfaces 59 which are substantially parallel with the inner inclined surfaces .60 of the expansible die members 36, and the surfaces 59 are arranged to be closely adjacent to surfaces 60 when the punch is moved downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1.

Each surface 59 has secured thereon, as by screws 6|, a wedge plate 62 having a T-shaped groove 63 therein, and the surface 60 of each member 36 has secured thereon, as by screws 64, a T-shaped key 65 for slidably fitting in the groove 63 adjacent thereto.

Thus the wedge plate 62 and interfitting keys 65 form sliding wedge abutments between the punch 58 and the expansible die members 36, whereby relative downward movement of the punch forces the members 36 outwardly and downwardly on the inclined cylindrical surfaces 3|, of bottom plate 36, the guides 34 sliding in the slots 35 to guide the members 36 radially.

As the members 36 move outwardly, the angular or tapered surfaces 50 thereof slidably abut the angular or tapered surfaces 5| of the adjoining pie-shaped segments 46 to force the segments outwardly and downwardly on the inclined cylindrical surfaces 32 of the bottom die plate 30, against the tension of springs 53.

In the operation of the improved apparatus, the deep drawn sheet metal receptacle having a straight cylindrical side wall I5, as indicated in cross section in Fig. 7 and partially in dot-dash lines in Fig. 4, is positioned on the outer bottom die plate l3 within the outer die segments 16 in their expanded position as shown in Fig. 7. The stripper plate 25 and spacer ring 28 are then placed in position as shown in Fig. 4, and the die members including the punch 58, inner die members 23, 30, 36 and 40, together with the outer die wedging' members l8 are all moved downwardly to occupy the positions shown in Fig. 4. In this position the outer die Wedging members l8 have forced outer die segments I6 to their contracted position against and completely surrounding the bottom portion of the receptacle side wall l5.

As the punch 58 continues to move downwardly to the position of Fig. 1, the inner die members 36 move outwardly and in turn force and guide the pie-shaped'segments 40 outwardly to the position of Figs. 1 and 2, in which the convex corrugated outer surfaces 36a. and 46a of themembers '36 and 40 respectively, form a circumferentially complete continuous bulged die portion which cooperates with the concave portions ll of the outer die members l6 to form the bulged corrugated portion I5a in the receptacle side wall l5, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in full lines, and in dot-dash lines in Fig. '7.

As shown in Figs. 1 and l the bulged portion- I50. merges with and extends upwardly from the bottom wall M of" the receptacle, because the tapered or inclined surfaces 3| and-32 terminate at the very bottom of the side wall and permit the die members 36 and 40 to expand the side wall beginning at its intersection with the bottom wall. Moreover, the downwardly inclined movement of the expansible die members on the bottom die plate 36 results in subjecting the side wall to increased expanding pressure.

During the outward movement of the die members 36 and 46, the inner bottom die plate 30 holds and maintains the bottom Wall M of the receptacle against the outer bottom die plate l3 in its previously formed shape, and the downwardly inclined cylindrical surfaces 3| and 32 on the plate 30 permit the bulged portion to be formed as merging into and extending from the receptacle bottom wall.

As the punch is moved upwardly after the forming operation, the wedge connections with the members 36 first draw the members 36 inwardly to the position of Fig. 4, and at the same time the springs 53 move the segments 46 inwardly until the expansible die members again occupy a position similar to that shown in Fig. 7. The punch 58 and inner diemembers 23, 36, 46 and 30, together with the outer die members I8,

- may then be withdrawn, during which operation and extending from its bottom wall.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for forming a bulged corrugated portion in the side wall of a sheet metal receptacle having a bottom wall, an inner die member for conforming to said side wall, an inner bottom die member secured to said inner die member in vertically spaced relation for conforming to and clamping said receptacle bottom wall, said inner die member and said bottom die member having parallel downwardly and outwardly inclined guiding surfaces, and expansible die members having cooperatively abutting tapered surfaces and slidably engaging said guiding surfaces for movement into abutment with said receptacle side wall at said bottom wall.

2. Apparatus for forming a bulged corrugated portion in the side wall of a sheet metal receptacle, including outer die means for providing a circumferential concave corrugated die portion, an inner bottom wall die member having downwardly inclined upper surfaces, expansible inner die members having circumferential convex corrugated portions slidably supported on said inclined upper surfaces for movement radially outward and downward and being so constructed as to form a circumferentially complete continuous corrugated die surface when somoved to cooperate with said outer die means in forming a bulged corrugated portion in the receptacle side wall, and individual guide means on the bottom Wall die member for said expansible die members.

3. In apparatus for forming a bulged corrugated portion in the side wall of a sheet metal receptacle having a bottom wall, a downwardly tapered inner bottom die for conforming to and clamping said bottom Wall, expansible die members movable radially outward and downward on said bottom die having corrugated forming surfaces, pnnch, means wedgeably engaging said expansible die members for expanding them into bulging engagement with said receptacle side wall at said receptacle bottom wall, said die member b in socon tru e a t present when expanded a circumferentially complete continuous corrugated die surface, and individual guide means on the bottom die for the expansible die mem s- 51111 apparatus for forming a bulged corrugated portion in the side wall of a sheet metal receptacle having a bottomwall, an inner die member for conforming to said side wall, an inner bottom die member secured to said inner die member invertically spaced relation for conforming to and clamping said receptacle bottom wall, said inner die member and said bottom die member having parallel downwardly and outwardly inclined guiding surfaces, expansible die members having cooperatively abutting tapered surfaces and s-lidably engaging said guiding surfaces for movement into abutment with said receptacle side wall at said bottom wall, and punch means wedgeably engaging said expansible die members for moving the same on said guiding surfaces.

CLARE L. HINSDALE. 

